Clock train lubricating method and apparatus



Dec. 13, 1955 H. c. FOX 6, 0

CLOCK TRAIN LUBRICATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Sept. 28. 1949 FIG.I

HENRY 0. FOX

INVENTOR.

A 7' TOR'NE Y United States Patent CLOCK TRAIN LUBRICATING METHOD AND APPARATUS Henry C. Fox, Oakland, Calif.

Application September 28, 1949, Serial No. 118,409

24 Claims. (Cl. 226-125) This invention relates to the lubrication of clock trains, especially to such as are used in modern synchronous electric clocks.

The clock trains to which this invention is applied are, in manufacture provided with a housing which is sealed against admission of foreign matter by a continuous wall through which a shaft is journalled. The opening between the shaft and its bearing is so minute that it is a distinct problem to cause oil to pass through it, especially into the space within the housing. In manufacture an initial oil charge is placed inside the housing before sealing which lubricates the gear train. The oil volatiles gradually escape around the shaft and after some years the train may cease to function. Reoiling with a light oil corrects this condition. Heretofore re-oiling has been achieved by puncturing the housing and after recharging with oil, soldering the hole closed. This process is time consuming and may damage the train.

My invention effects re-oiling of the clock train quickly and easily without damaging the housing. The steps of recharging include withdrawal of a large portion of the gas and vapor from within the housing through the space between the shaft and its journal and depositing the withdrawn portion of gas and vapor temporarily in an adjoining chamber wherein a vacuous condition exists, then admitting new oil into this adjoining chamber to displace and remove the gases and vapors from the said adjoining chamber. The new oil is forced into the gear train housing under high pressure through the limited passage provided by the bearing and shaft.

One apparatus for carrying this process into effect is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the clock train lubricating tool;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken from Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a section at plane 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The lubricating tool shown in the drawing comprises a metal body 'which is preferably cast of bronze or brass to provide a fiat base 12 having a pair of straight parallel ribs 14 integral with base 12. The base 12 is received between the jaws of a vise (not shown) having horizontal top edges to engage ribs 14 to orient the tool horizontally. The body 10 further provides a clock train housing gripping arrangement comprising upwardly disposed arms 16 and 18. Arm 16 has a clamp bolt 20 threaded horizontally therethrough for manipulation by hand wheel 22. Arm 18 is surmounted by a tubular body portion 24 having a clamp portion 26. The portion 26 is provided with an internal outwardly divergent conical pressure fitting 28 disposed toward the bolt 20, the axis of which fitting is horizontal and parallel to the axis of clamp screw 22 and approximately aligned with its axis.

The clock train to be re-lubricated is well known and includes .the sealed housing 30 having the rotor portion ice 32 and a shaft 34 which is journalled in a sleeve hearing 36 the outer elements of which hearing are integral with the housing. The bearing 36 is normally provided with a conical end 38 which defines at its base a circular line edge 40. The conical surface 28 of the fitting is designed to contact this edge continuously around its length, and when clamp bolt 29 is forced against the interposed fixture 42, the edge 4%) effects a high pressure seal with surface 28. The fixture 42 is recessed at 44 to freely receive the rotor portion 32 of gear train housing 30 and provides force transmitting surface 46 to abut the wall of housing 36 and force bushing edge 48 against taper surface 28 thus effecting an air seal around the edge 40.

The tubular body portion 24 provides a cylinder for a piston 48 the axes of which piston and cylinder are preferably aligned with the axis of surface 23. Piston 48 is preferably formed of a straight rod accurately fitting the cylinder, and is provided with a push-pull knob 50 engaging a projection of the piston. A seal is effected around the piston by a packing 52 surrounding the piston and compressed by a packing sleeve 54. Sleeve 54 is tightened by two screws 56 threaded into the adjacent body portion 24 and engaging the bar 57 which bears on sleeve 54. The end of portion 24 of the body further provides a pair of finger hooks 58 so that the fingers of one hand may engage these hooks while the palm engages the flat knob 50 to efiect a powerful advantage on the piston. With the piston about .25 inch in diameter the hand can develop pressures of the order of five hundred pounds per square inch.

A valve port 60 is provided in the cylinder wall adjacent the end of the piston chamber to be cleared by the piston. Port 60 is closed on the cylinder side by 'the piston 48 and on the outside by a valve 62 having a stem 64 threaded by loose threading into a stem receiving portion 66 of body 14 extending vertically upward. The portion 66 is further extended upwardly to provide a well 68 around stem 64 for the reception of an oil supply.

Adjacent the outer end of the cylinder near the conical seat 28 the cylinder wall is provided with an additional port 70 which is closed and opened by a valve 72 which controls a passage 74 to a bleed port 76 above the level of the cylinder. Valve 72 has a threaded stem 7 8 threaded into a portion 80 of body 10 which provides a seat 82 for valve 72 on the outside of port 76.

With the clock train 30 mounted and clamped as shown and described and with piston 48 positioned near the left end of the cylinder as shown, the valves 62 and 72 are seated closed and well 68 is filled with lubricant. Piston 48 is now drawn out by knob 50. This creates a vacuous condition in the space 23 and cylinder chamber, and the gas inside housing 30 escapes around shaft 34 and inside bearing sleeve 36 into the piston chamber. This vacuum is increased as the piston moves past port 61 When port 60 is uncovered by piston 48 the operator opens valve 62. The vacuous condition in the cylinder permits atmospheric pressure to force oil from well 68 into the chamber to quickly equalize the pressure. Now valve 72 is promptly opened. This allows the gas which was trapped by the oil in the chamber around port 70 to escape through passage 74 and out at over-flow port 76. Escape of this trapped gas is indicated by the over-flow of oil. Upon such indication valves 62 and 72 are firmly seated closed thus leaving a charge of oil in the cylinder chamber and a partial vacuum still inside the housing 34). The piston 4-3 is now forced in which causes the oil to pass etween shaft 34 and bearing sleeve 36, the pressure differential between the inside and the outside of the bearing being of the order of five hundred pounds per square inch.

An alternative mode of operation is as follows: The

vacuous condition in the piston chamber. The piston 48,

being tight fitting, prevents oil from being drawn from well 68 into the piston chamber during; the period of piston movement to a position slightly to the left of or inward of port 69. Accordin ly, during this period a partial exhaustion of the gas and oil vapor from housing 30occurs. The motion ofpiston 48 is, however, continued without interruption to uncover port 66. Instantly upon such uncovering the oil in well 68 is forced by atmospheric pressure into the piston chamber and flows into the space surrounded by fitting surface 23', causing the gas to be confined in the chamber above the oil and preventing it from re-entering the housing 3!). The valve 72 is now opened to allow the trapped gas to escape at port '76 and be replaced by additional oil from reservoir 68. Valve 72 is now reclosed, valve 62 is inserted and seated to close port 60 and the piston 48is driven in to force the oil into housing 39.

The last described procedure has the advantages over thefirst described procedure of (1) increasing the rate of displacement of the oil into the piston'chamber, (2) making; it unnecessary for the operator to ascertain when port 66 is uncovered, or to hold the piston 43 against vacuous suction with one hand while unseating valve 62 with the other hand, (3) automatic filling of the piston chamber when sufficient piston displacement has occurred and (4) trapping a larger portion of the displaced gas in the piston chamber by reason of the speed with which the; oil enters me chamber.

I In order to make it unnecessary to remove valve 62 from well dfi in the performance of the last described process, the well 68 may be connected to the valve chamber 63 by a passage (not shown) which passage by-passes the threaded portion of body 66 for stem 64-, and allows free passage of oil from well 68 as soon as piston 48 clears port 6h, the valve 62 having been fully opened.

It is important to observe certain features of the fitting for effecting the seal between the bearing bushing as and the conical surface 28. The angularity of the conic surface 28 with respect to its axis is of the order of one or two degrees of are. This small angle coupled with the fact that a minimum area of contact is afforded at the circular ring of contact 4% insures great c'ertainty'in eflecting the seal. Whether or not this seal has been effected is promptly sensed bythe operator in. drawing piston 48 outward. it will be appreciated that this construction permits slight rnisalignments of the axis of bearing sleeve 36 with the axis of fitting surface 28 to occur in clamping housing 3% in the position of the drawings and yet the required seal is effected.

It will, furthermore, be observed that the end surface 27 of fitting 26 is squared oif perpendicular to the axis of fitting surface 23 and that this surface27 is shown spaced not only from the juxtaposed surface 31 of housing 38, but also from any embossment such as 37, so that only the edge 49 engages fitting 26. It will be evident that the surface 2% will become irregular from repeated use so as to require refinishing; Such refinishing permits surface edge 4b to enter farther into fitting 26. Therefore it will benecessary to take a little of the surface 27 from time to time. It is for this reason that the fitting 26 to the left of port '76) is made of substantial axial length in the beginning so that a long service life is insured.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for recharging a clock'train mechanism having a sealed housing provided with a shaft journalled through the wall of the housing with lubricant, such apparatus comprising, in combination: means providing a fluid chamber, means for effecting a fluid seal between the fluid chamber and the housing wall surrounding the shaft of the train, means forproducing a vacuous condition in said ehrmne'rrer transfer-ring gas from the'hous' ing to the chamber whereby to localize the gas in the chamber, means for admitting a lubricant into the chamber, means for releasing the gas from the chamber, and means for thereafter driving the fluid out of'said fluid chamber through the bearing around said shaft.

2. Apparatus for recharging a clock train mechanism having a sealed housing provid' d with a shaftjournalled through the wall of the" housing" comprising, in combination: means providing a fluid, chamber, means for effecting a fluid sealbetween the fluid chamber and the housing wall surrounding the shaft of the train, means for producing a vacuurnin the chamber for transferring gas from the housing to the chamber, means operative immediately after creation of a certain degree of vacuum for admitting a lubricant into the chamber at a high rate of admission to trap, the gasjnthe chamber, means for releasing. h a .ft i he .qhawb isrm ns fo la i et the chamber except for communication with the interior of the clock train housing, andmeans for forcing the oil outof Said ai s s?! in th -hg nea A clock tr in brisatm inasomrri ns i ar bination: atubularlubrication receiver fitting having an externally circular cylindricsurface with a conically bev eled or tapered end. defininga circular sealing edge at the junction of the cylindric surface and; the bevel. surface, and a tubularlubricant delivery fitting providing a conical internal surface of difierentconicity and greater surface diameters than the sealing edge of the first fitting constructed to receive the'first -fitting andabut the circular sealing; edge, V t v 1 v 4. A clock train lubricating device comprising means providing a' fluid displaceineptchamber having an open end, means for clamping the housing of the clock train to be lubricated so that sealed fluid communication be tween the interior of the-housing andthe chamber is. effected thrOugh-Sajidend and through the clocl; shaft bearing, means for charging the. chamber-with lubricant, and means for forcing-the. lubricant out of the chamber and into the housing;

5. A clock train lubricatingdevice comprising, incombination: a body member having: a base portion and two arms extending upwardly therefromto provide a space therethrouglr between the arms, the base portion having flat parallel sides terminatedf byra pair 'of parallel stop ribs, a clamping bolt threaded through one of the arms and extending into the space between the" arms; a piston, valve and fitting structure mounted on the other arm and said structure including'alubricant fitting juxtaposed to the clamping bolt,-.a cylinder communicating with the fitting,,a piston in said cylinder, an oil reservoir mounted ,on the structure, a valvestructure for controlling the admission,v of-oil-to theicylinder, a valve structure for controlling the pressure and removal of gas from the cylinder; and means" for manually actuating the piston.

6. A method ofreplenishirig a' yessel having only a single restricted openingthrough the wall thereof with a replenishment .fluid ,which-metbod;comprises: associating'the chamber of a second'vessel therewith so that the chambers of the first and second vessels-are in fluid transfer communication'through said restrictedopening, then reducing-the pressure in; the chamber of the second vessel" and thereby drawing fluid from the first vessel into the chamber of: the second yesse'lyand then introducing replenishment fluid at a-higlrer pressurethan the pressure in the two vessels intojrthczchamber 'of the: second vessel for transmissioni'underr' the difference of pressures in the two chambersthrough, therestricted opening into the firstchamber.. g r

7. A method ofreplenishing:aclosedspace witha fluid which method comprises associating the closed space with a second".- closed space through an opening ed" that the pressures in" said tWb sPacesma'y The equalized; reducing the pressure in the second space'and by induction therefrom reducing the pressure in the first named closed space, and then admitting the replenishing fluid into the spaces at a pressure higher than the pressure induced into the two spaces, whereby the replenishing fluid is forced into the first named closed space due to the increased pressure in the second closed space.

8. Apparatus for replenishing the chamber of a vessel with a fluid comprising, in combination: means for defining a pump chamber in fluid tight relationship with the chamber of the vessel; means for causing the pump to reduce the pressure in the pump chamber and consequently cause fluid to flow from the vessel chamber to the pump chamber; means for causing a replenishment fluid to enter said pump chamber and thence'the chamber of the vessel while the pressure is so reduced; and means for thereafter releasing the fluid that has passed from the vessel chamber to said pump chamber from said pump chamber. 7

9. Apparatus for recharging a clock train mechanism having a hydraulically sealed housing provided with a shaft journalled through the Wall of the housing with lubricant comprising, in combination: means providing a fluid chamber, means for effecting a fluid seal between the fluid chamber and the housing wall surrounding the shaft of the train, means for producing a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure in the chamber and by induction in the journal thereby transferring fluid from the housing to the chamber, means operable thereafter for admitting a lubricant into the chamber at a high rate of admission to occupy the chamber with the fluid, means for releasing the transferred fluid from the chamber after admission of the lubricant and meansfor closing the chamber except for communication with the interior of the clock train housing after such release, and means for thereafter forcing the oil out of said chamber and into the housing along such shaft.

10. A pressure fluid joint comprising, in combination: a tubular fitting having an externally circular cylindric surface with a comically beveled or tapered end defining a circular sealing edge at the junction of the cylindric surface and the bevel surface, and a tubular fitting providing a conical internal surface of different conicity and greater surface diameters than the sealing edge constructed to receive the first fitting and to abut the circular sealing edge on a complete circular line of contact, whereby to produce high unit pressure of sealing contact.

11. Apparatus for charging a mechanism having 'a journal and a shaft journalled therein extending through the journal, with a fluid comprising, in combination: means providing a fluid chamber for receiving the shaft end of such mechanism, means for effecting a fluid seal between the fluid chamber providing means and the journal surrounding the shaft, means for admitting a fluid into the chamber, and means for driving the fluid out of said fluid chamber through the space between the journal and said shaft. 7

12. Apparatus for charging mechanism'having a sealed housing providing a journal and a shaft journalled therein and extending an end thereof outside the housing through the journal, with a fluid, comprising, in combination: means providing a fluid chamber for receiving the shaft end, means for effecting a fluid seal between the fluid chamber and the journal surrounding the shaft, means for producing a vacuous condition in the chamber for transferring gas from the housing to the chamber, means for admitting the fluid into the chamber whereby to localize the gas in the chamber, means for releasing the gas from the chamber, and means for thereafter driving the fluid out of said fluid chamber through the bearing around said shaft.

13. Apparatus for lubricating a clock mechanism comprising, in combination: a bracket, means for positioning a clock mechanism having a housing and a shaft protruding outwardly of the housing from within the housing on said bracket, and means for engaging the housing around the shaft and for forcing lubricant into the mechanism around the shaft thereof while it is mounted on said bracket.

14. Apparatus for lubricating a clock train comprising an external journal sleeve portion for a shaft providing a circularly cylindric external surface and an intersecting surface adjoining the cylindric surface to form at the junction of the cylindric and intersecting surfaces a sharp exterior circular edge all in one plane and said clock train further including a shaft journalled in the sleeve and extending outwardly from the journal with a pinion fixed on the shaft end in close proximity to the bearing sleeve with the pinion being of a lesser diameter than the diameter of the cylindric external surface diameter, such apparatus further comprising a sealing fitting providing a body of metal having an exterior surface for positioning adjacent the journal sleeve and providing a recess for the pinion, shaft portion and part of the sleeve, said recess being defined by a right circularly conical interior surface divergent outwardly of the body, said conical surface surrounding spatial sections respectively greater and smaller in diameter than the diameter of the circular edge of the journal whereby the edge can be caused to contact the conical surface along a circular line in the conical surface of equal dimensions with the edge of the journal.

15. In combination with the apparatus of claim 14, means for clamping such a clock train with the sleeve in the recess, means for at least partially evacuating the fluid from the clock train casing, and means for causing new fluid at higher pressure to be forced to the clock train through said journal sleeve.

16. A hydraulic pressure seal for two detached bodies desired to provide a separable connection between fluid chambers formed in the bodies sealed from external space, such seal including a member associated with one of said bodies providing a right circularly cylindrical external surface and a fluid passage axially disposed within the surface communicating with the chamber of said one body and said cylindrical surface terminating adjacent a conical surface having a corrmon axis therewith to join the surfaces in a single circle to form a circular sealing edge therewith; and the other body providing a flat exterior surface and a bore in the body through and generally perpendicular to said surface communicating with the chamber of said second body, said bore providing a conical surface divergent toward the opening of the bore and of slightly greater and smaller conic surface diameters than the cylindric surface at said flat surface with the conical axis of the bore perpendicular to the fiat surface, said conical bore surface having an angularity of the order of two degrees of arc and said second body providing ample mass adjoining the conical surface to permit renewal of the flat and conical surfaces, and means for clamping the two bodies with the axes of the cylinder and cone in substantial coincidence so that there is a circular line of contact between the two bodies.

17. A method of charging a vessel with a fluid by the use of an auxiliary vessel and a reservoir for the filling fluid communicating with the auxiliary vessel through a valved pasage and wherein the two vessels each include a chamber and provide for the maintenance of a difference in pressures on the out and the insides of the chambers; such method comprising first associating the two vessels for movement of fluid between the chambers thereof; and with the valved passage closed then reducing the pressures and establishing substantially sub-atmospheric pressures in the chambers; then releasing through the valved passage filling fluid directly to the chamber of the auxiliary vessel from the reservoir by the action of atmospheric pressure outside the vessels through the reservoir.

18. A method of lubricating a clock train and the like,

such clock including a rigid generally air tight housing,

to force lubricant through said journal space against thev low pressure induced in saidhousing by the first step.

19. A method of charging a vessel with. a fluid by the use .of: anauxiliary vessel and a reservoir for the filling fluid communicating with the auxiliary vessel through a valved passage and wherein the two vessels each include a chamberand provide for the maintenance of a difference in pressures on the out and, the insides of the chambers; such method comprising first associating the two vessels for movement of fluid between the chambers thereof; then reducing the pressures in'the charnbers;,then admitting 'thejfilling fluid, directly to the chamber of the auxiliary vessel from the reservoir by the action of pressure outside the vessels whereby part of the filling fluid may enter the vessel to be charged therewith due to the diflerential pressures in the chambers of the two vessels.

20. A method of lubricating a clock train and the like, such includinga rigidgenerally air tight housing having a space enclosedunder atmospheric pressure therein, a shaft journalled through a single atmosphericpressure I equalizing journal hole in the housing wall, and moving parts inside the housing, the method comprising: creating a pressure less than atmospheric pressure in the chamber by drawing fluid out of the housing space through the journal space around theshaft, applying lubricant to the bearing hole, and then causing atmospheric pressure to force lubricant through said passage against the low pressure induced in said chamber by the first step.

21. Apparatus for lubricatinga clock train having an external journalsleeve portion for a shaft, said journal sleeve having an exposed cylindric external surface and external endtoprovide two intersecting surfaces forming a sharp exterior circular edge in one plane, and said clock train further including ashaft journalled in the.

sleeve andextending outwardly from the journal with a pinion fixed on the shaft end in close proximity to the bearing sleeve with the pinion being of a lesserv diameter than the diameter of the cylindric external surface, such apparatus comprising a sealing fitting providing a body of metal having an exterior surface for positioning adjacent the journal sleeve andproviding a recess for the pinion, shaft portion and part of the sleeve, said recess being defined by a tapered interiorsurface divergent outwardly of the body, said tapered surface surrounding spatial circular sections respectively greater and smaller in diameter than the diameter of the circular edge of the journal; whereby the edge can be caused to contact the taperedsurfacefalonga circular line, in said tapered surface, of equal dimensions with those of the journal.

I 22. In combination with the apparatus of claim 21, means for clamping such a clock train with the sleeve in the recess, means for at least partially evacuating the fluid from the clock train casing, andmeans for causing new fluid to be, forced to the clocktrain through Said journal sleeve. V

ternaltedge au .ar within the edge.

with. ,thecharnber of said-second; body, said g;,a surface;.divergent-.-toward the opening u sa n bore pm I, of the bore, and. b0r ax aid. .s

f cxrculancro ss, section transverse the Hd,,bQdYuPliQVldltlg ample mass adjoininglthelbore.surfacentozpem it. renewal of the bore surfaces .audmeflflfiior clamping-the two bodies with the, s. o f.;1thef sleeve. tidgfiand. the. axis of the borein substantial coincidence so that there 1 is a.- .circular line o f nontactbetween. the two. bodies. 7

'24., Apparatus. for, recharging a clock. train mechanism having a'sealed housing 'the rearound and provided with ashaft journaHed throughthewall of the housing, with lubricant; such apparatus comprising, in combination: means piiovidingt a .fluid, chamber, means for effecting a fluidseal atlh'e. outside. of. the sealed housing between the. fluid chamber and. the housing wall surrounding the shaft of thetrairr, meansfor admitting a lubricant-into the.c,hamber,,arid' means fordriving the fluid out of said fluid Chamber intothe interior of. said sealed'housing throughlthej bearipg around .theshaft.

356,519 Wurster 'Jan. 25, 1887 546,458: Robinson Sept. 17, 1895 599,702 "Griswold Mar. 1, 1898 730,093 'ehisholm 7 June 2, 1903' 938,977 "Glauss etal. Nov. 2; 1909 1,408,573 Fesler Mar. 7, 1922 1,462,689 :Dayi's July 24, 1923 1,570, 36! 'Wolf Ian. 19, 1926 1,693,261 Sweetland Nov. 27, 1928 1,725,972 Albertine Aug. 27, 1 929 1,770,071 Davis July 8, 1930 1,895,177 zstaley Jan. 24, 1933 1,907,980 .Kelly May 9, 1933 1,912,770 'Hartman June 6, 1933 1,964,005 "Morton June 26, 1934 1,969,142 aMcIntyre Aug. 7, 1934 1,981,905 Davis Nov. 27, 1934 2,051,509 =.Wi1e. Aug. 18, 1936 2,064,815: Armstrong Dec. 22, 1936 .:2,089;784. CornelL'Jr. Aug. 10, 1937 2,107,987 Johnson 'Feb. 8, 1938 72,17 5i575 .Shoernaker Oct. 10, 1939 2,205,604 'Sherbondy- June 25, 1940 2,210,478 *t-Berg Aug. 6, 1940 2,272,636, ."Dennis Feb. 10, 1942' 12,292,710 'Mor'row Aug. 11 1942 2,308,181 Laird Jan. 12, 1943 72,383,391 Johnson Au'g..21, 1945 .2;415;1'09:- Nordquist Feb. 4,1947

mmuhwa in h h c amb of a d onehbody ,andpthe.Qfihfilftbodyprovidinga bore com- 

